5 Main Things The Pacers Should Focus On If They Want To Upset The Thunder For Their 1st Championship In Franchise History

The Indiana Pacers have exceeded expectations in their run to the NBA Finals. Even after a surprise run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, this is a surprise for most.

Led by Tyrese Haliburton and an elite supporting cast, they’ve played unselfishly, fast, and with a chip on their shoulder. But now they face their biggest test yet, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Young, deep, and menaces on the defensive end, the Thunder are the No. 1 seed out of the West for a reason. They are powered by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, elite and versatile Tim protector Chet Holmgren, all anprunf All NBA and All Defensive Allstar Jalen Williams, and a rock-solid core that includes Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, and Isaiah Hartenstein.

For Indiana to pull off what would be considered a significant upset, several key strategies must align.  Here are the things they will need to do so they’re the ones holding up the Larry O’Brien at the end of this series:

1. Control the Pace Without Losing Identity

The Pacers thrive on pace and space. They were second in the league in points per game during the regular season and blitzed opposing defenses with quick decision-making and early offense. Having the 7th fastest pace in the regular season and 3rd fastest in the post season, the Pacers used their pace to wear teams down and sometimes get back into games by speeding their opponents up and creating turnovers. But Oklahoma City is not your average defense. The Thunder are long, switchable, and disciplined. If Indiana tries to run recklessly, OKC will feast on turnovers and turn them into transition points.

They also play really fast. Slightly faster than the Pacers even. Indiana will have to find a way to play to a strength of the Thunder while also controlling that strength.

Rick Carlisle’s challenge is to maintain the tempo that got Indiana this far without becoming careless. That means Haliburton must strike the balance between speed and control. They’ll need smart, deliberate possessions, especially in crunch time, where OKC’s half-court defense tightens.

2. Haliburton Must Be the Best Guard in the Series (or on par with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)

If Indiana is going to beat Oklahoma City, Haliburton has to outplay Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Or match his impact.

That’s a tall order given SGA is the MVP and has been a top-five player all year, combining elite scoring with defense, playmaking, and clutch ability. But Haliburton is the engine of Indiana’s offense. When he’s aggressive, knocking down threes and creating for others, the Pacers become nearly unguardable.

That means more than just passing. Haliburton will need to take, and make, big shots. He’s sometimes unselfish to a fault, but against OKC’s switch-heavy defense, there will be moments where he must call his own number.

3. Win the Bench Battle

The Thunder’s depth has been a major asset all year. Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe give Mark Daigneault a lot of versatility. But Indiana’s second unit has also shown flashes of dominance, particularly when guys like T.J. McConnell, Obi Toppin, and Ben Mathurin and get going.

McConnell’s role could be especially important. His energy, defense, and ability to disrupt opposing guards can shift momentum. The Pacers will need their bench to not just hold leads but extend them when possible. In a series likely to be defined by tight margins, a few impactful second-unit minutes could swing a game.

4. Defend Without Fouling

One of OKC’s sneaky strengths is how well they get to the line. SGA, in particular, is a foul-drawing maestro, constantly getting defenders off balance and finishing through contact. If Indiana plays undisciplined defense, they’ll quickly find themselves in foul trouble and on the back foot.

Defending the Thunder requires a mix of physicality and control. It’s not just about stopping the first action, OKC thrives on second efforts and constant motion. Indiana will need to communicate on switches, avoid unnecessary reach-ins, and live with contested twos rather than giving up easy threes or trips to the line.

5. Don’t Lose Composure

This is the Pacers’ first Finals appearance in 25 years. For many of their players, it’s their first time on this stage. The Thunder are also young, but they’ve shown remarkable poise. Indiana must embrace the underdog role but not get overwhelmed by the pressure.

Things will get physical and there will be calls the Pacers will feel like are flat out wrong. They will get frustrated and if they don’t want to be like any other team the Thunder have played this year then they they certainly need to keep their composure.

Carlisle’s experience will be vital here. He’s been to the mountaintop and knows what it takes. If he can keep the team grounded, focused, and confident, the Pacers can continue to ride the wave that’s carried them this far.

Beating the Thunder won’t be easy. They’re a complete, disciplined, and explosive team. But the Pacers have their own formula: dynamic offense, unselfish play, and grit. If they can execute these keys, especially Haliburton rising to the challenge and controlling the tempo, they have a legitimate shot at bringing the Larry O’Brien Trophy to Indiana for the first time. The margin for error is thin, but the opportunity is real.

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